Our Early Friends

Patricia Woody
We called her Patsy Woody and we have known each other since the beginning.

I'm so glad you were a part of my childhood, my neighborhood, Sixth Avenue School, Foshay Junior High, Dorsey High School, and the UCLA university days, and later precious get-togethers every few years. I'm inspired that you followed your passion to write. You were a hero for many of us.

God took you to be in heaven. Too soon for us but in His time.

Father Damien is being canonized this very Sunday, 11 October 2009 by the Vatican. What a privilege to visit the leper colony on Kalaupapa with Kawika, Makana, Moani, and Brenda in 2006. I'm glad to share this "rest of the story" for recognition of this humble servant.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-23-2009/father-damiens-legacy/2030/ http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-23-2009/father-damiens-legacy/2030/

Putting feet to our faith

We were inspired this week by Pastor Jack Mckee. Ward met him in San Francisco several years ago before we knew we were coming to Belfast. Our organist Danny Halford informed Ward about that meeting. When we got here to Belfast we found that Jack was one of the ministers in our area and have attended his church a few times.
He is currently conducting a Cross Vigil with all due credit to Arthur Blessitt. And if you go by to encourage him you might end up on his Blog as we did. I finished his book, The Cross and The Gun. Check this out, we are noted on day 18, 22 and 24. www.newlifeministriesireland.co.uk/cross_vigil.html

August came and went

We went with it and now mid September and we have had nine days without any rain! It is unheard of.

Everything in our lives is back into full swing with the exception of a Cross Border class using ICT (basic computers and Word) as a tool to explore attitudes about peace and reconciliation. We look forward to this new opportunity to engage on the subject. It starts in October at the Vine Centre.

I've started to make decent pottery. This vessel was made in a studio of an expert. Let's see if I can duplicate it and make more and better.

July came and went

Last week I experienced the loudest thunder that I have ever heard in my life. We have also seen the kind of downpour with the stream of water pressure in the storm drains that lifts manhole covers in the streets. High speed beating wipers can barely keep the windshield clear.
On top of that we saw this double rainbow as we were emerging from a church after an evening worship. It only lasted a few minutes but it awed us all. I suppose I could have taken a more artistic angle but I did capture both before they disappeared. With the changing weather comes our changing moods. Ward says its because we have nothing to do with the summer lull in programs. Maybe he is right we busy ourselves with programs.
Me I'm seeking to manifest the joy of the Lord all the time. I'm done with moods. I'm finding joy in the meditative exercise of creating something with my hands. Sometimes I'm full of joy with words and the computer. Often with communicating. But always while making something that wasn't there before. I've posted the beginnings of my pottery at www.quonstothers.com

UVF decommissioning

For those who wonder if the Troubles are over for Northern Ireland the process continues. This is a significant milestone that weapons are being decommissioned by the loyalist paramilitary groups.

Whereas I am just an observer working as a volunteer in the Shankill Road community the report from the BBC comes as great news to me. Not because I have ever felt unsafe since moving here but because it is a political milestone, another building block in the rebuilding of civil society and true democracy. It is a sign that fear has been reduced and with freedom from fear the people might move on to love God and love all others.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8121842.stm

This is a good day!

What's on your mind?

The title question "What's on your mind" has replaced "you've got
mail"; well not replaced for some of us slow changers who still use
AOL. It is a unique concept on whichFacebook is premised, that your
friends want to know the answer to this question. So as some people
have 600 friends it is hard to believe all or even many of them would
be interested to read the dribble (Ward calls it popular culture; don't be offended) that mostly get posted to this question.

Alas we have also joined the crowd and try to keep something active on Facebook, as well as posting longer thoughts on our blog. We are feeling pressed to use our landline and mobile phones with live voices to friends near and far, keep our five email accounts answered, write a few letters, notes, cards and postcards, issue a monthly newsletter, update our website, see people, attend weekly commitments and events. This is all "comms" or communications.

Spiritually we talk to God personally, together, and with others. We listen to God by reading the Bible, and during prayer and meditation. Sometimes we hear God through the writing of others. At this time Marda is reading Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. It's a wonderful exploration of the Sacred Feminine. We've only recently been made aware of the feminine attributed to the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Christian trinity.